In a special ceremony held at the Greek Embassy in Washington, D.C., Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni officially received twenty-six ancient artifacts of Greek origin that are being repatriated.
The event, attended by high-ranking United States officials, marks another significant chapter in the deep cultural cooperation between Greece and the US, underscoring both nations’ commitment to protecting cultural heritage and combating the illicit trafficking of antiquities.
The repatriated items include an exquisite headless marble statue of Asclepius and 25 ancient coins. These items were seized by US authorities upon entry into the country because they lacked the necessary legal export documentation. The repatriation was conducted under the framework of the bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Greece and the US.
Repatriation of Ancient Greek artifacts is a “victory for justice”
During the ceremony, Minister Mendoni stated:
“I am deeply moved to be among allies and dedicated friends of Greek culture who are contributing decisively to my country’s struggle against the looting of antiquities—a crime against humanity and our shared cultural heritage. Today, thanks to the Memorandum of Understanding, we are receiving these significant antiquities back home. This institutional framework has become an effective tool in our bilateral cooperation, allowing us to locate, seize, and return these treasures.”
Greek Ambassador to the US, Antonis Alexandridis, described the repatriation as “a discreet but powerful victory for justice, scientific research, and moral clarity against forces that seek to fragment the past.”
Sherry Keneson Hall, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs, added: “Our collaboration sends a clear message to transnational criminal networks: our borders are closed to the illegal trade of cultural heritage.”
Charles Wall, Deputy Assistant Director of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), noted the personal significance of the event, stating: “As someone who learned the history of ancient Greece as a child in school, this repatriation means a great deal to me. Today, these findings return to their homeland, ensuring their future is protected.”
Significance of the artifacts
The collection includes the headless marble statue of Asclepius (Epidaurus type) and several rare coins, such as silver coins from Rhodes. Among the most notable pieces are two rare 4th-century B.C. coins: a bronze Macedonian coin featuring the head of Persephone and a hydra, and a gold stater from Lampsacus (Mysia) depicting the head of Heracles and a Pegasus. These were recovered following a joint investigation into an international antiquities smuggling ring, supported by Interpol.
Additionally, Minister Mendoni received twelve other ancient artifacts, including terracotta figurines, archaic and classical period pottery, and stone fragments, that were voluntarily returned by private citizens in the United States.
Earlier in the week, five ancient artifacts were repatriated from Chicago. The objects included two black-figure vessels from Attic workshops as well as an amphora and an olpe, both dating to the 6th century BC. Also included are a bronze mirror from the Late Archaic-Classical period, a headless marble statue of Hermes dated to between the 1st century BC and the 1st century AD, and a fragment of a relief portraying the goddess Athena from the 2nd century AD.
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